Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest track “Tell Your Papa” has surged in popularity following a ban by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The song, which critiques President Bola Tinubu’s administration and directly addresses his son, Seyi Tinubu, was prohibited from radio and television broadcasts on April 10, 2025, for allegedly violating broadcasting codes.
Despite the ban, the track has gained significant traction online, amassing over 89,000 views and 2,800 likes on YouTube, and surpassing 30,000 streams on Spotify.
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka condemned the censorship, describing it as a dangerous regression and an attack on freedom of expression. He criticized the government’s intolerance of dissent, warning that such actions are detrimental to democracy.
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) also criticized the ban, suggesting it would inadvertently boost the song’s popularity.
Social media users have expressed support for Abdulkareem, with many criticizing the government’s attempt to suppress the song. One YouTube commenter noted, “Naija government, this is 2025, for goodness’ sake. There is no single lie in the song.”
This incident echoes the 2004 ban of Abdulkareem’s earlier protest song “Jaga Jaga,” highlighting ongoing tensions between artistic expression and governmental censorship in Nigeria.
